Maldives (Commonwealth Union)_ Rana Tanveer Hussain, the Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, urged for the expansion of technical and vocational training collaboration between Pakistan and the Maldives. Rana Tanveer, who held a meeting with Dr. Ibrahim Hassan, the Minister of Higher Education of the Republic of Maldives, stated that both nations may expand their student exchange programs.
The minister emphasized the significance of the close bond between Pakistan and the Maldives, highlighted the fraternal links between the two nations, and lauded the Maldivian people’s friendliness towards Pakistanis. He stated that Pakistan and the Maldives have always maintained friendly relations based on shared faith, culture, historical ties, mutual trust, and shared interests. According to the minister, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Education and Professional Training should be drafted to manage, pursue, and coordinate the whole partnership between the two nations, and he also emphasized the urgency of the actual execution of MOUs.
Further, Rana Tanveer was informed that the Maldives National University has established connections with prestigious Pakistani universities, including LUMS, NUST, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, and others. A week ago, MNU 04 faculty members finished their agricultural training at the Agricultural University Rawalpindi. He stated that there is a significant potential for collaboration between the two countries, and that the prospects might be used for the mutual advantage of the two nations if interactions were established. He also stated that around thirty Maldives students are pursuing higher education, specifically MBBS, in Pakistani medical universities and colleges.
Dr. Ibrahim Hassan, Minister of Higher Education for the Republic of Maldives, informed Rana Tanveer that the country’s 98 percent literacy rate is among the highest in the world. Further, six to eight MBBS/ BDs seats are given annually to Maldives students through the Pakistan Technical Assistance Program (PTAP). Additionally, Dr. Ibrahim Hassan was reassured by Rana Tanveer that more spaces will be offered to Maldivian students in medical and art institutes in Pakistan. According to the federal minister, Pakistan devotes a great deal of significance to its bilateral and multilateral relations with the Maldives and within the networks of the SAARC, OIC, UN, and Commonwealth.
